Google April Fools Pranks 2011 #aprilfools

Continuing its tradition of making the world smile with faux products and service hoaxes, Google has a barrage of novelty in store for April Fools 2011. From special language choices, new ways of gesticulating to Gmail and old-time viral videos from 1911, Google has something to tickle your funny bone this year.

New Google Search Language Options

For those loyal to Google search but wish it had more language choices, you’re in luck. In addition to the traditional Romance, Asian and African languages, you now have your choice of two more: Elmer Fudd and “Bork, Bork, Bork!” a phrase made popular by the Muppets’ very own Swedish Chef.

To activate the language, log into your Google account, click Settings in the toolbar at the top of the page and select Search Settings. The options to select the language of the Google interface are the top choice.

Gmail Motion

If you’re a Gmail user, you’ll love Gmail Motion, a unique new way of typing email without using a keyboard or a mouse.

Gmail Motion’s patented spatial tracking technology allows you to use your Webcam and simple hand gestures and body movements to perform Gmail tasks and completely compose a message. For example, to reply to a message, you can simply point over your shoulder with your thumb. You can reply all by using both thumbs. To send, lick two fingers as if they were a stamp, then press them down in front of you.

Gmail product manager Paul McDonald and his team have been working with experts in motion technology and semiotics to develop gestures that will replace typing on a keyboard entirely.

If you’re in the market for a new job and have always wanted to be a Googler, there’s a new opening in Mountain View. The requirements are simple: you need to be able to search fast, type faster and want to help others. Google needs people to type back autocomplete phrases. If you can type 32,000 words a minute and are able to relocate to really obscure places, this job could be yours.

Comic Sans, AnyEveryone?

Do a search for Helvetica on Google and you will receive a result page restyled entirely in Comic Sans. You know Comic Sans, right? The font most despised by respectable designers and loved by children all over. (Do a search for comic sans and you get the same thing.

This prank, presumably, is to draw more attention to the Chrome Web Store, where you can download app that extend Google’s Chrome browser. Go to the Chrome Webstore now and you can download the Comic Sans for Everyone Extension to make every font (including text boxes) Comic Sans all the time.

AdWords Goes Retro-Annoying with New Display Ad Templates

Tired of boring old display ads in your campaigns? Want to engage your users more? That can happen with the Google’s new Display Ad Builder templates. Choose from “Punch the Monkey,” “LOLCats,” “Pop Ups Gallore,” and more!